Manufacturers also express a preference for Marco Rubio as republican VP candidate and a belief that the NLRB is pushing a pro-union agenda.

Schaumburg, Illinois, May 2, 2012 — The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s Current Situation Index declined in April to 308.3 from an all-time high of 350.0 in March (April 2008 = 100), while the Future Expectations Index also fell to 239.7 from 298.3.

In comparing current sales levels to year-ago levels, 74 percent of respondents said sales were higher in April versus year-ago levels, down from 84 percent in March. For April, four percent reported sales were even, and 22 percent said sales were below year-ago levels.

Looking forward six months, 62 percent of April respondents said they expect sales to be above current levels, down from 84 percent in March. In April, 35 percent of respondents said they expect sales to be even in six months and four percent expect sales to be below current levels.

Looking forward one year, 77 percent of respondents project sales will be higher, down from 89 percent who felt that way in March. Fifteen percent of April respondents project sales will be even one year from now and eight percent project sales will be below current levels.

Timothy S. Farrell, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA), said: “Our members continue to report current sales levels better than year-ago levels, indicating that the economy is moving in the right direction. However, with important segments of our industry still struggling, such as housing with new home sales at around 300,000 units per year versus over 700,000 units in 2008, it is obvious that we still have a long way to go before we can enjoy the benefits of operating in a truly dynamic economic environment.”

“Hot Topic” Questions

The April Confidence Index survey asked two supplemental questions of AHMA members:

“Assuming Mitt Romney becomes the republican candidate for president, which of the following would you most like to see selected as his VP / running mate?” and “Do you think the National Labor Relations Board under the Obama administration has been pushing a pro-union agenda?”

The AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index is a monthly indicator of the economic health and “mood” of the industry based on a survey of AHMA members.

The data collected from the survey produces two Indexes indicating: 1) Current Situation and 2) Future Expectations. Both Indexes use survey data from April 2008 as the base reference point so that April 2008 = 100.

The AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index results are released on the first Wednesday of every month.

AHMA is a globally focused trade association of manufacturers, or providers, of hardware, home improvement, lawn and garden, paint and decorating, building and construction and related products, as well as manufacturers’ representative’s agencies and trade publications.

AHMA offers many valuable member and industry programs, services and activities, including the AHMA Hardlines Technology Forum, AHMA / USA International Pavilions, AHMA Advantage GPO, the AHMA eAGLE, The Hard Fax: Home Improvement Industry News, The Hard Fax International: Home Improvement Industry News from Around the World, the Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index, the AHMA Home Improvement Industry Dashboard, AHMA Home Improvement Industry Stocks, the AHMA Home Improvement Industry Calendar, the AHMA Home Improvement Industry Network on LinkedIn, AHMA News on Twitter, Government Relations Programs, Member Benefit Vendor Programs, the AHMA Hardware Industry Relief Effort (HIRE) and the AHMA / Habitat for Humanity Partnership.